Latest news with #Seatrade
Trade Arabia
06-05-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
Maritime leaders call for innovation, partnership to keep trade moving
Resilience, partnership, innovation and sustainability will define the future of maritime logistics and that's where the Gulf has a real opportunity to lead, a top executive has said. Abdulla bin Damithan, CEO & Managing Director, DP World GCC, said: 'Let me start with resilience. More and more global operators are turning to the Gulf for stability. In a sector facing uncertainty, our region has proven to be an anchor point of stability, certainty and security. This is no accident. It's the result of years of coordinated investment in maritime infrastructure. "The Middle East has multimodal marine networks that connect over 150 ports worldwide. From the $800 million expansion of the South Container Terminal in Jeddah to advanced automation at Jebel Ali, we are building smart, resilient maritime networks that can adapt to demand," he said. He was speaking at the 11th Seatrade Maritime Logistics Middle East conference and exhibition, which opened in Dubai on Tuesday (May 6). It was officially inaugurated by Eng Hessa Al Malek, Senior Advisor, Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure; Abdulla bin Damithan, CEO & Managing Director, DP World GCC; Andrew Williams, President, Seatrade Maritime, part of Informa Markets, and senior representatives of the maritime community. In a video address to a packed Main Stage, Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy & Infrastructure, Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure said: 'We aim to position UAE Maritime Week among the world's top maritime events, with all stakeholders' engagement in shaping the future of this industry. The UAE continues to rise as a global logistic hub, guided by visionary leadership and bold strategies. 'In the UAE, we continue to improve the ports' handling capacity, which today handles over 21 million TEUs. The maritime sector contributes nearly 136 billion dirhams, or $37 billion to our GDP, with a target to increase it to 200 billion dirhams, or more than $54 billion in the near future.' Speaking to 2050 net-zero targets, he added: 'In our view, the world needs to be aligned when it comes to net-zero targets by 2050, and for us in the UAE, we will collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to achieve the UAE Net-Zero target by 2050.' Meanwhile, Damithan further said: "Our industry has always been seen as slow and resistant to change – but I believe this stereotype is changing fast. In the past year, I have seen digitalisation and automation projects jump forward. From AI tools that help choose the best routes and save fuel, to digital twins and predictive analytics, innovation is front and centre. Today, platforms like CARGOES Flow have made our region a leader in anticipating disruption before it happens. This level of automation supports how our ports work together as part of a coordinated system. From gates to cranes to yard equipment, this technology is reducing human error, speeding up operations, and improving vessel call performance. Even upstream, we're seeing the positive impact this can have. 'Which brings me to my final point: sustainability. Maritime shipping accounts for nearly 3% of global emissions. And we can't stand still – even if the odds seem against us. Regulatory frameworks are already shaping how vessels operate and where they berth. We have no choice but to decarbonise – and fast. The good news is that the Gulf is ahead of the curve, because we're using maritime infrastructure to keep change within reach. Port equipment has been electrified across terminals. Investments are being made in shore power so all vessels can plug in at berth – reducing emissions, noise, and fuel burn. And with the UAE now home to the world's first carbon removal deal for a port operator, we're setting the bar for what comes next." He ended with a resounding call to action: 'The global trade landscape is changing. Today the waters are rough, and trade maps are being redrawn. But I am confident that we can navigate it successfully. Let's move together. Let's move smarter. And above all - let's keep trade moving.' The UAE Maritime Week is held under the patronage of the Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure with Seatrade Maritime Logistics Middle East held as the focal exhibition and conference of the week-long activities.
Zawya
05-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Seatrade Maritime Qatar to open new opportunities between local and global maritime companies
Doha, Qatar: Hamad Mohammed Al-Nasr, Director of Trade Development and Investment Promotion, Ministry of Commerce and Industry delivered the official keynote address for Day 2 of the inaugural Seatrade Maritime Qatar event in Doha, Qatar stating that 'This conference represents an opportunity to explore new areas of fruitful cooperation between Qatar and its global partners and is an opportunity to exchange knowledge and experiences and enhance cooperation, and will contribute to opening new opportunities between companies and institutions.' Speaking to more than 200 delegates, Mr Al-Nasr said: 'This event is the first of its kind in Qatar - an important platform that brings together experts and specialists from all over the world in the fields of maritime transportation and logistics through which we aim to expand our network of international partnerships in the maritime transportation and logistics sector. 'In addition, improving the competitiveness in the management and operation of Qatari seaports has contributed to achieving significant growth in trade exchange between these ports and many agreements have been signed with countries and international ports which have has strengthened Qatar's role as a major centre in this sector.' He added: 'The Ministry of Commerce and Industry continues to cooperate with all local and international partners to develop strategies and initiatives that contribute to enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of all vital sectors, including the maritime sector, in line with its 2024-2030 development strategy.' The opening keynote was followed by a Fireside Chat between Seatrade Maritime News Content Director, Emma Howell and Hassan Alemadi, Senior Director Business Accounts, Oredoo Qatar, telecom sponsor of Seatrade Maritime Qatar which led the way to a panel session on 'The Digital Maritime Industry – is it here, near and secure?' Discussion centred around the fact that digitalization in the maritime industry is projected to be worth $423.4 billion by 2031 and whether the solutions are safe from growing cybersecurity threats? The panel included: Nick Chubb, CEO and founder of Thetius; Eng. Asmaa Abdulaziz Mirzaei, IT Manager, Mwani Qatar; Jassim Al-Majid, VP, Information Technology, Milaha; Gareth Burton, Senior Vice President, Global Engineering, ABS; Mr. Ghassan Kosta, Regional Manager, Google Cloud; and Julian Panter, CEO, SmartSea. The conversation continued during a sixth session, 'Offshore expansion & the North Field project' led by moderator, Fazel Fazelbhoy CEO, Synergy Offshore FZ LLE and panellists: Ahmed Desouki, Lead-Civil, SFSF Project Manager, Onshore Works Section – Projects & Engineering Directorate, Hamad Port Project; Danial Kaabi, CEO, SeaHorizon Offshore; and Ali. A. Shehab, Global Director of Special Projects & Services, DNV. The final session of the inaugural Seatrade Maritime Qatar – Financing Tech Advanced & Green Fleets of The Future – generated much audience participation in a discussion led by Adam Kent, MD, Maritime Strategies International and panellists: Ali Abouda, Group CFO, Gulf Navigation; Capt Zarir Irani, Dy. Registrar for 'Antigua and Barbuda' maritime registry; Chinar Zaidi, Managing Associate, Maritime, Trade & Offshore, Middle East, Stephenson Harwood; and Tajas Shah, CFO, Tomini Group. The event, the first of its kind in the State of Qatar, brought together key stakeholders in the maritime sector, governmental and semi-governmental entities, as well as innovators in the fields of technology, energy, finance, investment and services, in addition to the most prominent suppliers, decision-makers and shipping companies. Seatrade Maritime Qatar ended on Wednesday 5th February at Sheraton Resort Hotel and Convention Centre and has been generously supported by Main Sponsors: Qatar Ports, Founding Strategic Partner; Ooredoo, Communications Sponsor; Qatar Airways, Official Airline; Visit Qatar, Destination Sponsor. Main Sponsors include: Qatar Free Zones Authority; Milaha Group and QTerminals Group. Diamond sponsors include Saudi Ports Authority and Nakilat. Platinum Sponsors: Invest Qatar; ABS. Gold Sponsors: Lloyd's Register (LR), DNV; Bureau Veritas; MSC Qatar & MEDLOG; Genesis Marine and Sea Horizon. Silver Sponsor: Mowasalat (Karwa) and Bronze Sponsor: Middle East Fuji Group.
